Hey buddy.
How are ya?
It's been quite a campaign, eh? You've been knocking on doors, prepping for debates, answering emails. We're in the, "dog days" of the campaign now. Your original filing & declaration barely a spot in the rearview mirror, but still three weeks out from the culmination of all your efforts. There's peaks and valleys to every campaign, and as the leader, all your campaign workers look to you for strength and energy.
It's tough sometimes, eh?
I've been through a couple campaigns before, both as a candidate* and a volunteer, and I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I would like to share a couple things I've learned in that time.
Signs Don't Vote
You have a great chat at the door. They're enthusiastic about your platform. They say, "You're just what this city needs." They want your sign on their lawn. This is excellent!
But y'know what? On election day, they step up to a desk with a privacy screen and do whatever they want.
It's really easy to roll through your ward & city and be filled with pride with all the signs bearing your name. And you should be proud. You worked hard for those signs. Just remember that a sign doesn't necessarily mean a vote.
Be Polite
It's very difficult to separate personal and professional when it comes to politics, especially municipal politics. You don't toe a party line like at the provincial and federal levels. As a result, when people disagree with your stance on something, it's very difficult to not take it personally. Consequently, it's very easy to make your counter argument personal.
DO NOT DO THIS.
Firstly, it makes you look bad. Really bad. Not leadership material bad.
Secondly, as a ward candidate, you'll be working alongside one of your opponents for the next four years. Burning a bridge after you cross it is one thing, but before you even cross? You're just making more work for yourself.
Here's a couple of alternate suggestions for some of the less than ideal adjectives I've heard used around campaigns so far from a political science major (thank you, University of Windsor!):
young < ambitious
old < experienced
bully < commanding presence
Also try to avoid derogatory cliches like, "Old boys club," "Out of touch, " "Put out to pasture."
This link describes it perfectly.
Regardless how much you disagree with your opponents, going negative paints you in a bad light. Focus on the positive you'll bring to council.
Know Your Friends
It was probably your friends that first encouraged you to run, helped design your brochure/website/signs, and are out there knocking on doors with you every night.
Friends are awesome, eh?
But sometimes, friends take things too far. They do things like this. And this. These aren't just casual supporters; these folks were actively working on candidate's campaigns. Remember when I suggested being polite? This goes double for anyone working on your campaign.
I'm not saying you need your campaigners to take a blood oath, but understanding the importance of how you're represented in our small town is awfully important.
Stay The Course
I know, I know. You're tired. It's been a long campaign. You've heard the same questions on every doorstep and every email over and over again. Your opponents continue to bring up things that happened years ago, or talking about things like age and gender as though they're things you have any say over.
This is the biggest test.
Can you handle the heat? When the pressure starts, do you crumble or rise to the occasion? Your response to these situations will speak louder to your candidacy than your carefully researched platform. One thing that is often overlooked at the municipal level is, as much as what you write down prior to your appointment matters, what a citizen really votes for is the person. There's no party line to toe, as in the provincial and federal levels. You are running as you; your experience, your passion, your ambition, and, how you will vote in the future.
Also remember that the person standing in front of you right now doesn't care how many times you've been asked this question, because this might be their first chance to ask you that question in person. They finally have you one-on-one to find out who you are, what you've got planned, and (for incumbents) why you voted the way you did on past issues. And neighbours talk. Taking the extra five minutes at the door could lead to a bigger impact on your campaign than you initially realize.
It takes guts and a thick skin to run for political office. Every part of your life will be scrutinized & criticized. I applaud you all for taking the most difficult step; filing to run. You've almost navigated through all the twists and turns of the campaign; acquiring funds, building your platform, producing brochures, knocking on doors. The finish line is in sight and it's time for the last big push.
Keep at it, work hard, and best of luck on October 27th.
Jube.
*Sure, it was high school student council, but it still counts...Right?
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